We are MOVING! June 1, 2009
Posts have been scant, as of late. I’m starting my pet walking/sitting again, and Ronan James has been partaking in a great deal of social/therapeutic activities. It’s been really good for our spirits, but not so good for succumbing to the muse
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONAN JAMES!!! May 17, 2009
Ronan James turned 7, yes SEVEN, years old yesterday…
Waah. Wahhhh. WAAAHHHHH!!!!
How is my baby 7 years old? The other day, I was holding that honey baked ham in my jacked arms (they were so jacked…he was the fattest TUB ever! see post entitled HE WAS NOT SMALL) and snuggling him on the couch for our daily nap…
Now, he takes up the whole couch. But I still wiggle my way around him for a snuggle.
Happy Birthday my RO!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Baby Ro gets ready for brother Lowie to be born...wasn't this yesterday?
Shameless Hallmark Moment April 20, 2009
We went to a Patriot’s Day celebration today, complete with a fantastic parade, delicious food vendors, balloons – the whole works.
The boys were having a blast, and then we saw this HUGE flag…must take picture.
Of course, Mama forgets her camera, so we only have the phone to snap a memory. Not the best quality.
Well, of course the first thing I do is lament the fact that the boys aren’t looking at the camera. Then, I have to self-deprecate, because it’s just fun.
Mama looks bald. Mama looks like a Cabbage Patch Doll. Can I ever not look like I am going to a funeral?
Then…I see my hands. They are resting over both of my boys’ hearts.
For some reason, this really touches me. They are so small and vulnerable now, but I am always going to be there.
With my hands over their hearts.
Even if Mama really do look like a damn Cabbage Patch Doll.
Boston Rocks! April 20, 2009
We went to the Public Gardens and The Common yesterday to visit Auntie Snackie and Scientist Carl…
Could it be any MORE gorgeous and fantastic this side of the Charles at Springtime?
Here’s Ro and Lowie enjoying a rest on a bench in the Gardens…
Don’t they look like they are on a soon-to-be imploding date??…
Lowie, who looks exactly like my trampy Puerto Rican father, is checking out some fine young chicks, and Ro, who’s his Dad’s serious clone, is SO OVER that shiz.
Anyshiz, they had a blast, and Mama did too!!! Thanks Aunts and Uncs!!
Pre Music Syndrome April 10, 2009
Alright, already! I can’t stop with these songs!!! This one reminds me of driving through Malibu Canyon while I was pregnant with The Loudon. It was in my questioning phase…what could I have done different? What can I do different now? Who’s at fault? I am to blame.
Hoobastank probably wrote this one about another strung out beyotch, but to me, most songs are about my boys. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q30-2QpZVc
I’m not a perfect person
There’s many things I wish I didn’t do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That’s why I need you to hear
I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you [x4]
I’m not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I’ve found a reason to show
A side of me you didn’t know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
Is He For Real? April 1, 2009
When I was in Kindergarten, I ate the paste (well, Ro does that too, but that’s another post). I certainly didn’t know how to do any pirahna addition and subtraction.
How’s Mama going to help this kid with homework in 4th grade?
Wait…he won’t need help! That’s right! Sweet!
The Loudon of the Day April 1, 2009
We are watching SpongeBob, and it’s an episode where the usual is happening – someone is hitting someone with something.
Loudon is laughing hysterically, and then he bonks Mama on the nose, Patrick Star style.
Hmm. Mama doesn’t like this.
Mama: Lowie! SpongeBob is a cartoon. It’s pretend. We are real people, and we don’t hit each other!
Lowie: (thinking…) Mom, I want to be SpongeBob…so I can HIT SOMEBODY!!!!!
This diablito is going to give Mama a run for her money…
Hi, This is Autism. March 31, 2009
A long time ago, back when Ro first got his diagnosis, I almost made matching shirts for us both, emblazoned with that bold statement.
Yes, this is me going back to the same old argument about labels, but I have new thoughts almost every day on this subject, so I must shaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeee with you! lol
Last week, one of my big sisters, The Tray, who just happens to have a 12 year-old daughter who is diagnosed “aspergers” was chatting with a fellow school parent about mundane kid issues.
The Tray mentioned something about my niece’s aspergers, to which the parent replied, “AUTISM!!! I didn’t know she had AUTISM??? Why didn’t you ever tell us??!!!!”
The Tray, being The Tray, replied, “Well, I haven’t needed to tell you about her diagnosis thus far…would you like me to tell you her bra size, because that’s pretty much equal information divulging???!!”
Okay, maybe it didn’t go down like that verbatim, but knowing The Tray, that’s how I imagine it, and I bet it’s pretty close.
Anyaut, this brings me back to my constant contemplation of label etiquette.
I don’t introduce my son as, “Hi, this is Ronan. He’s six, and he has AUTISM!!! AUTISM!!! AUTISM!!!
Why does Mama need to share that on the first date? It’s not like you will need a HAZMAT team to come and diffuse him! I can see my need for divulging diagnoses if you are a therapist that needs to work with him, or if he does something inappropriate socially that may make someone offended.
But really, do I need to announce this upon meeting new people every time? Why not say, “This is Ronan, his IQ is over 140 and he can recite all the states and capitals in 40 seconds or less!” Or why not share, “This is Ro, and he hates helicopters, but he can add and subtract far beyond his years! Isn’t that special?!”
It’s a tough road to navigate.
I was talking to a mother last week who has a child that goes to school with mine, and she just couldn’t get past how he seemed “different” from all of the other kids his age. She was just so embarrassed by all of his behaviors, and she had such a hard time with his uniqueness.
Look, I don’t want my kid to misread “social cues”, in fact, he’s taking special courses and incorporating “social education” into his therapy schedule every day, but what I don’t want, what I worry about sacrificing, is his individuality – his strengths, his admirable qualities – his fabulousness…
Does that, should that, need to be sacrificed with the “autism” label?
To that Mom that worries about her boy being so “different” - will your child resent you for really wishing he fit into a round peg when he is square all along???
I thought her child was lovely.
I think my child is lovely.
I think my niece is lovely.
Sometimes, even though I know he needs to learn a different way, even though I know it carries pain, I think AUTISM is lovely.
I don’ t love that he has hurt… what Mama does? But I love my child with AUTISM.
Label or not.
That means nothing.
And he means everything.
The Loudon of the Day March 29, 2009
While discussing the subject “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Ronan: I want to be an astronaut, so that I can go up in the stars and see Uncle Shawn (Ro’s Uncle that died in a car accident when he was a teenager). Awww.
Mom: Lowie, what do you want to be?
Loudon: Mom. I want to be a lady. I don’t want to be a man when I grow up. I just want to be a lady.
Damn! Just when I thought I would be able to keep all of my makeup, clothing and jewelry to myself because I didn’t have any daughters!!!! LOL
